Answers

Well, technically, not all “teas” are really teas. Red and herbal teas are more like infusions than teas, since they’re not actually derived from tea. Regardless, it’s now what variety you drink, it’s where it comes from and how it’s made. Keep an eye out for organic and fair trade teas, which are friendly to both the environment and the economy. Loose tea is best and has the highest quality, and you can steep it with a reusable diffuser. You may also look into buying it in bulk and storing it in reusable, airtight containers. If you prefer bag tea, make sure the bags are made from natural, biodegradable fibers and are not wrapped in plastic or other wasteful materials. Numi, Republic of Tea, Zhena’s Gypsy Tea, and Choice are some brands that are both organic and fair trade, and I would rank Numi the highest quality of the four and Choice the lowest (purely my own opinion). Zhena’s is probably the best in terms of variety.